Context

Over the last 6 years Pearson has invested in a significant transformation of our systems and operating models. We’ve implemented single core platforms (ERP, CRM etc.) across our largest markets (North America & the UK) and are progressing with our remaining markets. In addition, we have also moved to a Shared Services model across our Enabling Functions (Finance, HR, IT etc.)

As we move forward on our transformation journey our focus is on process harmonization and optimization to deliver significant improvements in the productivity, efficiency, and effectiveness. We will leverage leading-edge process design and technology solutions and use data-driven analysis and insight to target the most beneficial areas.

Role Overview & Purpose

The purpose of the role is to support the Head of Finance Operations, and Director of Credit & Collections by designing, developing and providing analysis and deep insight into the historic performance of our trade receivables, and utilizing this knowledge and customer behavior patterns to predict future performance e.g., payments, delinquencies, bad debt. Through this insight the role holder will partner with operational management, financial control, global process owners and other support functions to determine changes and interventions that will improve outcomes

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• To define and develop descriptive and predictive measures and metrics that enable sales ledger performance (trade AR) to be holistically monitored and managed

• To develop hypothesis and to perform the necessary tests to prove/disprove them

• To support the preparation of business cases by performing the necessary data analysis

• To prepare periodic (e.g., monthly/quarterly/annual) management reports

• To present findings and recommendations to senior management/leadership teams

• To monitor the performance of our sales ledger and identify opportunities for improvement

• To analyze customer credit, and collections performance and develop segments and groups that enable targeted and risk-based approaches to be adopted e.g., payment propensity modelling

• To provide input to, and participate in credit management committees/forums

• To recommend changes to credit, and collections policies that balance commercial opportunity/reward with financial prudence and risk management

Qualifications and experience required:

Mandatory:

● Previous experience in performing credit and collections analysis for a large company (e.g., £1b+ revenues)

● Comprehensive understanding of e2e order-to-cash processes, particularly those relating to credit management and collections

● Competent in Sequel Query Language (SQL) to create queries to extract data / create reports

● Highly competent in using MS Excel for data manipulation and analysis including advanced formulas, tables, power query/power pivot, advanced charting

● Numerical-based background such as accountancy, math, economics, statistics

Desirable:

• Is knowledgeable in, and able to use Oracle SQL Developer

• Has a solid understanding of key Oracle tables associated with Order Management and Accounts Receivable

• Experience in using visualization application such as Tableau, PowerBI and Qlik to create dynamic and interactive dashboards

• Previous experience with analysis tools such as Minitab, SPSS, Alteryx, R-Studio, Oracle Business Intelligence Applications (OBIA)

• Previous experience in insurance, banking, credit risk/management

Required Skills & Capabilities:

· Strategic Thinking : working beyond the current role to look at the big picture and shape the future. Needs to demonstrate shareholder stewardship capabilities and how efforts to date have driven these impacts. Strong value management background and able to demonstrate examples of where value drivers have delivered tangible results.

· Communication: strong verbal and written skills with experience of running workshops with a range of stakeholders

· Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills

· Curiosity: shows corporate, sector, capability and input driver curiosity to use data science to shape opinion and influence action.

· Problem Solver: able to think around a problem even if you haven’t encountered it before and come up with clear and logical solutions (e.g. Cause & Effect, 5 Why’s Affinity etc.)

• P roject Management & Delivery: Working with both Agile and Waterfall delivery approaches to provide sustained results leading team. Skilled in PPM or equivalent methods, able to create work breakdown structure, plans, governance, tracking and delivery outcomes.

· Data and Insight: turns data into a strategic insights that become a key planning tool by enabling the delivery of accurate, real-time, comparable, and consistent business information that is agile, relevant, predictive and prescriptive in nature.

· Flexibility and Agility: Adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Can understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements. Able to operate in global capacity across time zones, markets, languages and cultures to achieve results.

· Team player: able to play an active part in a management team that creates and implements a shared vision for the future and works together collaboratively and effectively.

· Relationship builder: Ability to develop effective relationships across the business at a senior level and lead and enable initiatives to improve performance

· Organised: Highly organised and pays strong attention to detail and accuracy

· Strategic Thinking: working beyond the current role to look at the big picture and shape the future. Needs to demonstrate shareholder stewardship capabilities and how efforts to date have driven these impacts. Strong value management background and able to demonstrate examples of where value drivers have delivered tangible results.

· Communication: strong verbal and written skills with experience of running workshops with a range of stakeholders.

· Emotional Intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, social skills

· Curiosity: shows corporate, sector, capability and input driver curiosity to use data science to shape opinion and influence action.

· Problem Solver: able to think around a problem even if you haven’t encountered it before and come up with clear and logical solutions (e.g. Cause & Effect, 5 Why’s Affinity etc.)

· Project Management & Delivery: Working with both Agile and Waterfall delivery approaches to provide sustained results leading team. Skilled in PPM or equivalent methods, able to create work breakdown structure, plans, governance, tracking and delivery outcomes.

· Data and Insight: turns data into a strategic insights that become a key planning tool by enabling the delivery of accurate, real-time, comparable, and consistent business information that is agile, relevant, predictive and prescriptive in nature.

· Flexibility and Agility: Adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Can understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements. Able to operate in global capacity across time zones, markets, languages and cultures to achieve results.

· Team player: able to play an active part in a management team that creates and implements a shared vision for the future and works together collaboratively and effectively.

· Relationship builder: Ability to develop effective relationships across the business at a senior level and lead and enable initiatives to improve performance

· Organization: Highly organized and pays strong attention to detail and accuracy

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing ppsmhr@pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: FINANCE

Organization: Corporate Finance

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Req ID: 13763